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Bouncing Back from Betrayal: 4 Ways to Heal & Rebuild Trust

Bouncing Back from Betrayal: 4 Ways to Heal & Rebuild Trust

Plus, why you should forgive yourself, view betrayal as a loss, and learn from the experience.

Sol TV
December 21, 2023

This Newsletter at a Glance

💔 How to Deal With Betrayal?

🌹 TL/DR: How Do You Rebuild Trust?

🌷 Sol Bites: 4 Ways to Heal Betrayal

🎞️ Video Bite: Angelique MacArthur on Dealing With Betrayal

💫 Words of Wisdom

In relationships, trust is a fragile agreement. When a betrayal occurs, it can cause us to doubt ourselves, lead to hyper-vigilance and an overall mistrust in the world. Rebuilding that trust is essential if you want to lead a happy life.

TL/DR: How Do You Rebuild Trust?

Trusting someone is a gamble, but living a full, rich life—rather than one constrained by fear—is worth the risk. Rebuilding trust after betrayal isn't easy, but it can actually strengthen the relationship. The key is that both the betrayer and the betrayed are held responsible for repairing the damage.

Sure, not all betrayals have a happy ending, but healing is important regardless of the outcome. Here are some guidelines to remember:

Sol Bites: 4 Ways to Heal Betrayal

We’re all human, so chances are you’ve been betrayed in the past and will be betrayed in the future. When it does happen, take these steps to heal yourself.

Recognize betrayal is a trust issue

In a relationship, there’s a core assumption that each person acts in the other’s best interest. When you find out otherwise, it can affect you on many levels, both mentally and physically. Regardless of the circumstances that cause a betrayal, the ensuing chaos and emotions stem from damaged trust. You may reflect on previous instances when your trust was broken, which is normal.

Forgive yourself

In cases of betrayal, it's common for the person who was betrayed to blame themselves for what happened. You might say something like, "I knew I shouldn't have talked to that person," or "I was warned about getting involved with them, but I ignored it." When you go against your instincts or ignore your uneasy feelings, it can leave you feeling emotionally drained. One way to begin healing is by forgiving yourself. If you can't do that completely, at least cut yourself some slack.

View betrayal as a genuine form of loss

The intricacies of betrayal can make it seem similar to experiencing the death of a loved one. Of course, betrayal is not death, but it does carry elements of loss. For instance, when a friendship or job ends abruptly, it can feel as though your entire world has been shattered. As a result of that foundational collapse, it’s not uncommon for you to experience stages of grief. If you are no longer a partner in a relationship or a high-ranking executive, you also may feel a loss of identity. Recognizing your losses and acknowledging them as such will help you manage your emotions and feelings more effectively.

Learn from the experience

Whenever someone betrays you, it’s a chance for meaningful personal development. However, in order for this transformation to start, you must be willing to embrace the idea that there is something to learn from the experience. Letting go of defense mechanisms, like finding fault or feeling guilty, is vital—they will hinder your capacity to grow. Also, look for the compassionate people in your life who will help you when you feel lost. If you do forgive the person who betrayed you, always remember the lessons their behavior taught you.

Video Bite

When trust is broken, the road to healing can feel long and lonely. But you have more strength than you know. Start by validating your feelings - they are real and legitimate. Suppressing emotions often backfires, so face them head-on with self-compassion.

Seek clarity through journaling and self-reflection. Discover the full truth about betrayal and how it has impacted you with Sol TV Creator Angelique MacArthur.